I realize that I've already posted on the gloriousness that is spring. But really, I'm just not getting over it.
I'm originally from the Pacific Northwest. I grew up being very comfortable with a limited number of seasons and a lot of rainy, grey days. And for years after I moved to the Northeast I continued not to think much about the seasons--yeah, I hated the bitterest parts of the winter and the disgusting parts of the summer, and I was happy when each ended, but I didn't have a strong emotional or physiological reaction to seasonal changes and I coped quite well during dismal grey Novembers and late Februaries.
In about my sixth year out east, though, all that abruptly changed. I still recall that April, and the period in which my coworkers and I would go out for lunch every single day and sit in the sun in view of the Brooklyn Bridge. That's all we did: sit in the sun, barely talking. And it was that April--when I'd find myself smiling insanely every time I stepped outside--that I realized: this is what spring fever is all about!
I think my response to spring has grown more extreme every year, and this early time change isn't reducing the effects any.
Effect one: a newfound interest in my wardrobe. Now, I love clothes year-round, and I particularly love the way that each seasonal change gives me the illusion of an entirely new wardrobe, but lately I've been assembling ever-new and increasingly flamboyant outfits. Several days ago I showed up at the office in what I can only describe as some kind of demented homage to the Technicolor 1950s: knee-lenth black skirt topped with a fuschia sweater, fake pearls, patent-leather peep-toe pumps, and a teal brocade coat. When I walked into the department, my chair exclaimed, "Flavia! Did you just step out of a musical? You look like you're about to burst into song!" (And I was all, dude. I am about to burst into song. It's sunny and 60 degrees today and I'm BARE LEGGED for the first time in six months.)
Effect two: a weird compulsion toward physical activity. As those who know me in real life know, I am not a worker-out. (This isn't a matter of principle, but merely of practicality: I've been essentially the same size and shape for 10 years without working out--and if I were to start a gym routine, when the hell would I find time to blog?) For the last week, though, I've been doing something aerobic for 20 or 30 minutes, virtually every day. What's up with that?
Effect three: a complete lack of interest in prepping for my classes. To be honest, I'm not sure that this is spring-related, but it's convenient to think so.
6 comments:
Sing it, Sister! As a native Southwesterner, I'm with you on the surprise of spring; but I feel it just the same. And I do blame seasons (4 instead of 2) for the gigantism of my wardrobe over the past few years. But a teal brocade coat? I bow to your sartorial sangfroid!
n'kay - that outfit sounds FABULOUS and I love that you wore pearls with it! I can't wait to 'roid up my wardrobe again when I start my job this fall!
Congrats on the spring fever!
I love the description of that outfit! I think it calls for a photo the next time you adorn it! I, too, love the change so that I can wear all new clothes!
Effect Three is, I think, directly attributable to the lovely weather. I cannot concentrate on anything (for many reasons, as you know!) lately, mostly because I'm too distracted looking out my window, wishing I was there poking around in the cool dirt, looking for new life.
you're absolutely right about spring. I share your love for flamboyant spring (and summer) clothes (sometimes I wish I were too lazy to wear skirts and pumps). Your outfit does sound fabulous, especially the coat. I suspect I covet the coat.
And yeah, the lack of motivation to prep for classes. Something that, in my experience, is sadly only matched my students' lack of interest in preparing. It's hard to blame them, and yet we still have a month and a half to go.
Very spiritually uplifting piece, my friend. I have a strong feeling that if we were to make a movie about your life, you would be played by Julia Roberts.
TR
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